System and apparatus for automatic facsimile telegraphy



Nov. 11, 1941. R. J. wlsE ETAL 2,262,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE 'I'ELEG'RAPHY Filed April22, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 llmHl """Hml INVENTORS RJJWISE 11. BYG.H.RIDINGS Nov. 11, 1941. R. Jv WISE ET AL. 2,262,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 22,1939 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

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IHHHHV L3 INVENTORS R. .1. WISE G.H.RIDINGS A ORNEY Nov. 11, 1941. R. J.wlsE ETAL 2,262,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY I Filed April22, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 G.H.RIDING$ WOQNW ulll hn Nov. 11, 1941. R. J.WISE 'ET AL' 2,262,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 22,1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 C. FIG. 5 1!.11

"*1'111; ;i::1111. v v 192 HW 1 91E 8B f INVENTORS Nov. 11 1941.

R. J. WISE ETAL ,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 22,1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 LINE 2 RwRn'E MESSAGE MESSAGE LIN E DEPOSIT BEING-MESSAGE MESSAGE TRANSMITTED ACCEPTED INVENTORS R. J. WISE G.H. RI DINGS22 I ORNEY Nov. 11, 1941. R. J. WISE ETAL 2,262,715

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 22,1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. IQ

LINE 2 LINE I n a E Y E m m m .E m u m m m a w c NwR 0 E R A M 0 A N E E.IRG T T 7 I G woo m c EwF Y E EEFE B DRRPROH INVERTER I l I I: 2 L 9 H5 P m (EEW m u u r J 4 I 9 9 7 m L n M U I u m Im W S A Y 8 am am 6 7Patented Nov. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES FATE T OFFICE SYSTEM AND APPARATUSFOR AUTOMATIC FACSIlVHLE TELEGRAPHY Raleigh J. Wise; Dunellen,

Ridings, Summit, N. J.,

and Garvice H. assignors to The Western Union'Telegraph Company, NewYork, N. Y., a corporation of New York 25 Claims.

The present invention relates to automatic telegraph systems and moreparticularly to automatic systems for transmitting messages, photographsand other forms of copy in facsimile.

An object of this invention is to provide a telegraph system having anautomatic transmitting apparatus constructed and arranged to beoperated. by an inexperienced person such, for example, as a member ofthe generalpublic,

A further object is to provide an automatic telegraph system in which aplurality of transmitters are connected to a single communicationcircuit in the manner of a party line system, the arrangement being suchthat when one, transmitter is in operation the others connected to thesame circuit are automatically locked against use.

A further object is to provide a facsimile transmitter for use by thegeneral public provided with a plurality of signs indicating steps to befollowed by a customer inv using the transmitter, the illumination ofthe signs being controlled from a central oflice receiving apparatus.

A further object is to provide a facsimile telegraph constructed andarranged to automatically position a copy or message sheet on a suitablecopyholder, for scanning purposes.

The foregoing and other objects of, the invention will appear from thefollowing description of an illustrated embodiment of the invention:

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a View in front elevation of afacsimile machine embodying theinvention in its preferred form;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view similar to Fig. 1, but havingparts thereof broken away to afford a clear View of certain details ofthe apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational View taken partly in section on line33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional View in plan taken on line itof Fig. 2;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views disclosing details of theoptical scanning system, the latter being taken on lines 66. of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary detailed showing of the message feeding devicefor the copyholder;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the automatically operated closurefor the message feeding device;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical features of a controlsystem in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic showingof the electrical features of terminalequipment of a line which is in communication with one or more of thefacsimile machines of the present invention; and

Fig, 11 is afragmentary View of a modification.

In the present invention, a compact transmitting apparatus is providedfor transmitting messages, pictures or other suitable copy to a centralreceiving oflice from which itis retransmitted to its destination. Thetransmitter has means for indicating to a customer the progress ofoperations and for directing him in the steps to be followed by him inoperating the transmitter, all controlled by the operator at the centraloffice. The transmitter can belocated' in any public or private placedepending on' whether it is to be used by the public at large or by asingle subscriber.

Referring to the drawings, and forthepresent to Figs. I to 8 thereof, a.machine constructed to embody the present invention is disclosed whichcomprises automatic; equipment enclosed in a box adapted to be securedto a wall or other suitable support by appropriate fastening means. Thisbox, H) (Fig. 1) comprises a base or frame II, a cover l2, specialfeatures of which will be pointed out hereinafter, and a frame Mdesigned to support the scanning apparatus and a message receiving chuteit.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 4' of the drawings the scanning mechanismcomprises a copyholder IT in the form of a scanning cylinder carriedupon a shaft 18, mounted in suitable bearings it which are provided inthe frame it;

The shaft i8 is driven from a synchronous or other. speed controlledmotor 2i through a worm pinion 22 and a worm wheel 23', the latter beingsecured to the shaft it. A movablecarriage 24' supports the photo cell2% and associated parts comprising an optical scanner. This carriage isfree to move laterally upon lower and upper guide rails 25 and ii whichextend transversely of the frame 14 and is biased to the left, as viewedin Fig. 5, :by a spring 28. A lead screw 33 propels the carriage atproper scanning speed when it is engaged by a half nut 34, in a mannerto be described, and this lead screw is driven from the shaft ill by apinion 3t thereon meshing with the gear 3'i secured to the end of thelead screw shaft, see Figs. 2 and 4.

A message chute t6, of'elongated rectangular box-shape extends from aslot or opening 39 in a recess 4| of the cover I? to a point adjacentthe copyholder ll, and is positionedsubstantially tangentially thereto.The chute has a flared mouth 42 so that it will readily receive aflexible sheet such as a message form 43 (Fig. 1).

The copyholder Il has teeth 44 or cleats arranged circumferentially andextending beyond the periphery thereof. These teeth may be convenientlystamped from a sheet metal annulus of greater diameter than the cylinderIl, the annulus having an aperture which fits the shaft I8 and the teethbeing formed at the. end of spokes 45 extending beyond the periphery ofthe scanning cylinder Il. The'cylinder I1 is made up of two parts 46 and41 with the hub of the annulus clamped between them. The spokes 45,extending from the hub, are free to flexby reason of fillers or washers48, which may be intee gral bosses of small diameter formed on adjacentfaces of the cylinder parts 46 and 4l The teeth pierce the flexiblesheet when it is held against them by a roller Il-a. As shown in Fig. 4the teeth 44 will first pierce the sheet approximately in the centerline of'the hub of the annulus. Then as the cylinder Il rotates, thetooth which has just pierced the sheet moves laterally, the spokeflexing to permit this movement. Further rotation of the cylinder allowsthe spoke to return to its normal plane and when this occurs, the paperis firmly held under the hook-like contour of the tooth provided byreason of [its sloping portion 49; The approximate center of the slopingportion 49 of each tooth is located in the periphery of the cylinder Il.It will be understood that if the cylinder I! is of considerable length,a plurality of sets of teeth spaced at axial intervals may be provided.A

modified form of tooth configuration is shown in Fig. 11 of thedrawings. The teeth 44', illustrated thereon, all lie in the same planeand are hook-shaped as shown and point in the direction of rotation ofthe cylinder Il' so that they will catch and hold the message blank whenitprojects slightly beyond the end of the chute I6. The paper is incontact with the drum, the edge thereof having been gripped between theroller Ill) and the drum H. The approaching tooth pierces the paper atsome distance fromithe surface of the drum. The subsequent grippingaction as the drum revolves swings the paper just pierced by the toothunder the leading edge of the hook-shaped tooth. Each tooth acting inthis manner causes the paper to be held at each 1 point under thesloping leading edge of a tooth. The drag placed on the sheet by thecontinuous rotation against the roller 'Ilb keeps the paper securelyseated at the root of each tooth. It will be understood that the rollerIlb is mounted in the same position as roller Ila. The mounting meanswill be explained later.

Inorder to enable the recording apparatus at the central station tocorrectly record a message it is necessary to have the copy sheet at thetransmitter properly mounted on the scanning cylinder. For this purposemechanism is provided to prevent the message or copy sheet from beinginserted in the chute I6 in any but the correct position. The messageblank 43 has a beveled edge 5I. A stop member 56, see Fig. 4, supportedon a spring 52 extends across one end of the chute slot and has aninclined edge in position to be engaged by the beveled edge of themessage sheet. When gthe sheet is inserted in the chute in such a waythat the beveled edge 5| engages the inclined edge of the stop-56,-thelatter will be pushed aside against the pressure of the spring support52 and the sheet will pass down the chute. If the sheet is introducedinto the .inder.

. the photo cell 26.

chute in any other manner the square corner will strike the top face ofthe stop 56 and further insertion thereof blocked. To facilitateWrapping of the message sheet upon the drum, guide roller Ila isprovided, which is journaled on a shaft 53. The guide roller is groovedto accommodate the teeth and holds the paper while it is pierced by theteeth, as explained above. Adjustment of the pressure of the .roller Ilaon the drum is provided by a screw 53a which draws the arm 53b on theshaft 53 to flex the shaft slightly. To still further assure properreception of the message blank on the cylinder, a cylindrical guide 54is provided which surrounds one end of the cyl- This guide has anopening therein, as indicated at 56, and flaring members 51 and 58 serveto guide the edge of the message sheet into the opening 56.

To indicate the presence of a message sheet on the cylinder IT, a groove62 is provided there- 'in which in the absence of a message blankreceives a lever 63 which is secured to a rock shaft 64. It will be seenthatwhen a message blank overlies the surface of the cylinder Il, thelever 63 will be raised from the groove thereby rocking the shaft 64which separates a pair of contacts 66 and 6l (Fig. 2), the latterextending radially from the shaft and being moved thereby. A torsionspring 68 tends topress the lever 63 into the groove 62.

The carriage 24 previously referred to will now be described in somedetail. As previously stated, it is supported for movement on the lowerguide rail 25 by the rollers 29 and is guided and maintained in itsproper plane of movement by a U- shaped member lI affixed to thecarriage and embracing the upper guide rail 21. The optical scanningsystem supported within the carriage comprises a lamp 12 positioned toproject light through a lens tube 13 upon the surface of the copy on thescanning cylinder. Light is refiected from the copy through a lens tube14, the lenses therein projecting an enlarged image of the illuminatedsurface of the paper and the markings thereon upon a non-reflectivescreen 16. The screen l6 is apertured as indicated at ll and a portionof the magnified image on the screen 16 is projected through theaperture '11 and the teeth of a light chopping wheellB on to The lightchopping wheel l8 is carried onthe armature shaft 19 of a motor 86, thelatter being rigidly secured to the frame- Work of the carriage. Aspring member BI which may be conveniently formed as a loop of wire issecured to a bracket 82 fastened to the lens tube 14. The spring member8|, see Figs. 3 and 4, presses the copy sheet 43 into close contact withthe cylinder adjacent the spot of light which is projected by the lenstube 13.

The previously mentioned half nut 34 which cooperates with the leadscrew 33 to propel the carriage to the right, as is viewed on Fig. 6 ofthe drawings, is carried between the ends of a lever 85 pivoted at 86 toa member Bl which is secured on the carriage. The pivoted armature 88 ofa magnet 89 is connected to operate the lever 85 through a pivoted link9I when the magnet 89 is deenergized. The biasing spring 92 for thearmature 88 causes the armature to move and lift the half nut 34 frommeshing engagement with the lead screw 33. The preferred circuitconmesa-71s nections for the magnet 8'9 will be described" here--inafter in connection with Figs; 93nd" '10-ofthe drawings;

Toprevent insertion of the message blank-43 at an inappropriate time asdescribed herein-' after; a-slide94- (Figs. 3 and-8') is adapted to bemoved into position over" the endof the chute ingmeans 96 to a member95-which is carried by the rods 91; the latter" sliding in apertured'brackets98' and-another spaced apertured bracket 99. CompressionspringsH12; oneencircling-eachrod, ten-d to retain the stop member 94' inposition over the chute, forward movement of the rods being'limited bystop-membersin the form of collars I03. The stop member'94 mayberetracted by a link member I05- connected to the bracket 95'and theplunger of a solenoid magnet I08, the control of which'will be describedhere'- inafter.

Whenscanning of' a message sheet in position on the cylinder IIiscompleted, it may be removed by member IIO-having a knife edge I IIwhich is brought in contact with thesurface of the cylinder I'Iby'energization of the magnet I I2, the'ar-' mature of' which carriesthe member III]. Since the blank isshorter' than the'circumference ofthe cylinder its leading edge is exposed to the action of member I I:The knife edge I II slips under the leading edge of sheet 43 therebyprogressively peeling the sheet away-from the drum and disengagingit-from the teeth 44-. The magnet I I2 is supported in a stationarypositionbeneath the cylinder upon a bracket I I4- secured to theframework I4; A roller II5 pivotally mounted on the U-shaped bracket 5-is caused to bear on the drum or paper at all times by a spring I H. Thepoint of contact of this roller with the drum lies forward of the pointof contact of the roller I'Ia and is also somewhat forward of the pointof engagement of the edge III of the member H0. This roller serves toinsure movement to the paper after the major part thereof has beenunwrapped by the edge III and to holdthe edge'of the paper in contactwith the cylinder until all of the teethhave been disengaged.

A box-or. bin 8 having'a sloping bottom I I9 is positioned beneath thecylinder [1 and catches and retains the message sheets-43 after theyhave been stripped from the cylinder I'I by the member I I6. Access tothe pm I I8. is obtained through a hinged portion- I21 of the frontpanel whichzis securelylocked againstunauthorized access by the. lockI22.

The front of the casing. I2 is provided with a transparent window I23through which operation of the more essential parts of the machine maybe observed. However, indications of the performance of the machine inoperation are provided by the signs I28, five in number in the specificembodimentselected for the purpose of illustration, which areilluminated at appropriate times by the lamps 128 (Figs. 2 and 9). Thecircuits governingoperation of these lamps will be described in detailin connection with Figs. 9 and of the drawings.

In operation of the mechanical parts of the apparatus thus fardescribed, a person wishing to transmit a message by facsimile preparesa suitable copy or message sheet. 43. Where the machine is to be usedfor a commercial service, the message sheet-43=is generally providedwith printed matter thereon indicated by the reference character-1 I29?and themessage will be placed be.-

proper position with respect toprinted matter also appearing thereon,the blankds inserted in the slot 39- in" the recess II with the cut-awayportionthereofextending to the left asshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.Preparatory to the insertion of the blank, however, a. key switchindicated by the reference character BI is operated which conditions thecircuitsi imamanner to be described hereinafter; The blank. as. itdescends the chute I.6 presses-the stop member 50 to one side in themanner previously explained and is caught by the teeth 44 of thecylinder which pierce the. blank and. cause it to be rolled around thecylinder, the guide ring 54 and; the roller I'Iainsuring a snug-and'evenfit of the blank onthe cylinder. The; electrical equipment to bedescribed cau-sesthe lamp. I2 to light and the driving motor and.scanning motor to be started upon operation of the keyswitch I3 I. The

electromagnet 89. is energized by control apparatus located in theremote receiving station and the half nut 34 engages the leadscrew33-which causes the message to be scanned. Upon completion of thescanningoperation the magnet I I2 is energizedwhich removes the messagefrom the cylinder and it is deposited by gravity in the bin I I8 whereit is guarded against unauthorized inspection until its removal throughthe. hinged panel I-2I by an authorized person having a key for the lockI22. Itwill be understood that while. in the preferred arrangement ofthe control equipmentto bedescribed operation of the magnets I 08, 89and H2 are controlled from a distant receiver, these may be operatedlocally if desired or the magnet I08 and its stop member 94 may beomitted. Furthermore, the peeler blade III] may be mechanicallyoperated. In this manner a simple facsimile transmitting or receivingmachine is provided in which message copies which are wrapped on thecopyholder may be mounted on and removed therefrom at any time withoutstopping the copyholder. I

Referrin to Fig. 9 of the drawings diagrammatically showing electricalfeatures of the machine disclosed by Figs. 1 to 8 of the drawings, thelampsI28 for illuminating the signs I26 (Fig. 2) are shown in the upperpart of the figure. They arelabeled as shown to correspond to thecondition desired to be displayed by each sign upon illumination thereofand the lamps I28'wi1l be referred to in the following description bythe assigned labels in Fig. 9. L indicates a communication circuitconsisting of a pair of line wires LI and L2 which communicates with adistant receiver, shown in Fig. 10. The circuit is connected by way ofcondensers I35 and an amplifier I36 to the photocell .26. One of theline wires L2 is connected to a three position polar relay I31, the

other terminal of which is grounded, and the other line wire LI isconnected in a similar manner to a three position polar relay I38. Thetongue I39 of the polar relay I3I is capable of occupying threedifferent positions depending upon whether its associated line wire isunenergized or is connected to a positive or a negative source ofpotential. The tongue I39 of the relay cooperates with two contacts mand s. The tongue I II of the relay I38 cooperates with contacts m ands.

The transmitter is started by operating the lock switch I3I causing thecoil of a relay Hi8 (Fig. 9) to be energized, the armature I41 of whichoperates, a plurality of contacts by means ofv the multi-contactswitcharm I48. The arnea-th this printed matter. In-order that the-messagewill be recorded on the receiving sheet ini'ts:

mature I41 is adapted to be locked in the energized position by the,armature I49 of a magnet II. The armature I49 may also function toprevent movement-of thearmature I41 to its energized position undercircumstances of operation toibe pointed out hereinafter. One set ofcontacts I53 operated by the rod I48 connects power to. tor 2|,the-chopper motor 8| and the plate supply't'o the tubes of the amplifierI36. accomplished over the conductors. I54 and I56. The filaments of theamplifier fed from the transformer I51 are left on at all times. Theexciter lamp beam reflected from the drum through the pickup lens, theaperture and the light chopper to the photocell 26 causes a car- 'rierto be generated and passed through the amplifier to the two line wiresLI and L2. This is "an important feature of the invention since itindicates clearly that the transmitter and other parts of the system areready to operate. At the central station (Fig. 10), this carriersignalis picked up by a line amplifier I69 which is floating on thecircuit at all times through normalization of the line jack I6I. Thissignal causesa relay I62 in the plate circuit of an out-j put tube tooperate, lighting a light I63 by a relay I64, the purpose of which is toattract the attention of a station attendant. One of the contactsof therelay I64 lights a lamp I66 over the line jack I6I associated with thetransmit ter and places plus potential on line L2, which causes thetongue of polar relay I31 (Fig. 9) to go to its marking contact Thiscauses the armature I49 of the magnet I51 to lock the ar-- mature I41 intheoperated position, operates a relay I68 and lights the depositmessage light. The pushbutton or lock switch I3I may now be released.Relay I68 operates the chute magnet I98 which opens the entrance to thechute I6, allowing the patron to deposit the telegram. The telegram isdeposited in the chute in the proper manner. When it is completelywrapped around the drum, the drum contacts 66 and 61 open turn-- ing butthe deposit message light, and. releasing the relay I68 which, in turn,releases relay I88 and closes the entrance to the chute. Operationof'the multi-contact switch arm I48 by the relay I46 has previouslyoperated a relay I12 to disconnect a back contact I13. tacts 66, 61control the circuit of relay I12, it will be apparent that opening'the.drum contacts releases the relay I12 permitting the contact I13 toclose. The effect of this is to keep power on the machine as long as acopy sheet is on the scanning cylinder and to prevent the turning 011 ofthe machine through error by the main office attendant. The attendant atthe mainofilce, seeing the lights I63and I66, plugs into the jack I6!with the plug. I16 associated with the recording equipment,disconnecting the line amplifier I59 from the lines LI and L2 andconnecting a rotary switch I11 and the recording amplifier I19 to theline. An adjustment is madeby means of a pad I18 at the input of therecording amplifiers I19 until the indicator of the meter I8I associatedwith the amplifier indicates a predetermined value.- The rotary switchI11 has four sets of contacts and four switch arms which are operatedtogether. Y The contact on each switch arm is in the form of a brush sothat as the switch arms are moved, the contact of each maintainsconnection so that contact is made with the next point before the brushleaves the lastsucceeding point. During the above operations the rotaryswitch the machine including the driving mo-;

This is As the drum conhas been on the No. 1 position markedin Fig. 10-

Deposit message. I

After adjustment of the pad, the rotary switch is moved to the No. 2position indicated on the drawings by the word Record. This No. 2position places plus potential to line LI by Way. of the conductor I 88and the second brush of the switch. At the transmitter this operatespolar relay I38 to the marking contact 111. causing the half nut magnetto be nergized, moving the carriage along the copy to scan the same andat the same time lighting the light "message-being-transmitted. Also theNo. 2 position of the rotary switch I11 at the main. oifice releases acoil I92 of a relay I93, allowing the other coil to be released by theactionof a relay I94, which is in the plate circuit.

of one of the recording amplifier tubes. The relay I94 responds to theblack printed square I96 (Fig. 1) on the transmitting blank at thetransmitter. Response of the relay I94 occurs in the following manner:While the scanning light at the transmitter is on, a carrier is receivedby the'amplifier I19 (with the plug I16 in the jack). dence 'of thescanning light on the spot I96 causes the received carrier to drop inamplitude, releasing the relay I94. This releases the relay I93 anddeenergizes a phasing relay I98 which opens the circuit of a phasinglatch magnet I99 on the recorder 20I (not shown in detail). A recordersuitable for the purpose is shown in the Wise et a1. application, Ser;No. 110,760, filed Nov. 13, 1936. The rotary switch I11 is left in theNo. 2 position until the message has been transmitted. A contact 263associated with the traveling scanner '(not shown) on the recorder 2M,operates a buzzer 264 or other signal after the traveling scanner of therecorder has traveled a sufficient distance to have recorded the messagefrom the transmitter.

The rotary switch I11 is then moved to position No. 3 which removes pluspotential from line L1, causing the carriage to return at thetransmitter to the starting position and turning out the message beingtransmitted ligh This is brought about by movement of the tongue I4I ofthe polar relay I38 to its central position. At the recorder the No. 3position of the rotary switch I11 locks up the phasing relay I93 andoperates a relay 265 which causes the recorded drum to be removed fromthe recorder and a new will be moved by the attendant through the No. 4to its No. 5 position. The No. 4 position of the switch I11 is to permitreversal of the potential to one line before reversing it on the Isecond. In passing through the No. 4 position a positive potential isagain put on line LI, operating the polar relay I38 to its m contact andenergizing the half-nut magnet 89. This closes a' set of contacts 298,the purpose of which is to keep the multi-switch locking relay I5Ioperative when positive potential is removed from line L2. The No. 5position of the switch I11 applies negative potential to the line I2which causes the relay I31 to move to the spacing contact which, throughcontacts 2| I on the relay I46 and contacts 2I2 on the half nut magnet,operates the peel magnet II2 to remove the blank from the drum. 3

After the message has been removed the rotary switch I11 is moved to thelast position, No. 9, in which there is no potential on line LI Inciandnegative potential on line L2. This places the tongue of the polar relayI38 in neutral position releasing the half-nut magnet 89 and opening thecontacts 298 and 2I2. Simultaneously the tongue of the relay I31 engagesthe spacing contact 8. The multi-contact switch is-released and theswitch arm I48 raised to the position shown in Fig. 9. This lights themessage accepted light at the transmitter.

If, on the other hand, the recorded copy of the message is notsatisfactory, the operator at the recording station may rerun themessage with either increased or decreased power. That is, after therotary switch has been placed in No. 3 position and the recorded copyhas been read, if a lighter or darkercopy is desired, the operator canmake a suitable adjustment of the pad I18 and then return the switch toits No. 2 position in which the recording operation will be repeated.If; on the other hand, the original message is not legible, it will beimpossible to obtain a legible copy. In this event, the operator movesthe rotary switch from its No. 3 position through the'Nos. 4,5 and 6positions to the No. 7 position. The No. 6 position functions in thesame way as No. 4 described above in that t puts a positive potential onboth lines LI and U2 and provides for a changein potential on one lineatatime.

In No. 7 position a negativepotential is applied on line LI and apositive on line L2. Hence, the polar relay I38 is on the spacingcontact s which lights the please rewrite message light and may alsooperate a buzzer to call the customers attention or that of an attendantat, the transmitter. The rotary switch is-then turned off and the plugI16 removed from the jack. When the customerv has rewritten his message,he operates the button I 3| again and proceeds as before.

The magnet I5I at the transmitter has a dual purpose. On the busymachineit will lock the relay I46 in the operated position. Where morethan one machine are on a circuit as shown in Fig. 9 and assuming thatmachine 2I5 is busy the magnet I5I ofeach machine will lock the idlemachine or machines in the unoperated position so that the idle machinesmay not be started as long as one machine on the circuit is busy. On theidle machines of the: circuit alight-reading line busy will appear whilethe circuit is being used by-one of the other machines. This conditionis maintained on the idle machines when the machine in use in having theblank removed from its cylinder by the relay 35I. The power supplyconnection to each transmitter is indicated by reference characters 22Ion Fig. 9, the alternating current leads from the source-22I beinglabeled A and B and certain connections thereto also being labeled inthis manner.

The condensers 2I6 and ZI'I at the receiving station afford an easy pathfor the carrier ourrent from the transmitters on Fig. 9 to theamplifiers I59 and I I9 respectively and thechokes 2I8 keep the carrierfrequencies'from entering the control apparatus.

The output of the amplifier I19 is fed to the recorder 20I by way of asignal inverter 2I9 of any known type if the recorder is of theelectrochemical type,

From the foregoing complete description of an illustrated embodiment andits operation, it will be seen that anautomatic telegraph system isprovided by the present invention. The invention also provides facsimilemachines, which because of inventive features thereof, can be operatedby unskilled persons.

While the invention has been explained in detail in connection with anillustrative embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that theinvention may be embodied in other forms and, therefore, the inventionis not limited except as indicated by the terms and scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Automatic rotatable telegraph apparatus comprising a telegraphmessage sheet copyholder, means arranged circumferentially on saidcopyholder to receive and retain a telegraph message sheet and meansindependent of said first named means for conveying said message sheetto said receiving means on the copyholder in position to be received bysaid copyholder during movement at scanning speed for transmission ofthe message.

2. Automatic receiving means for the copyholders of a facsimile scannercomprising members on said copyholders designed to pierce and retain aflexible copysheet in position on said copyholder and means to receiveand position said flexible sheet within reach of said members wherebythe sheet will be pierced by said members in succession and drawn ontosaid copyholder during movement thereof.

3. In combination with a rotatable telegraph message sheet copyholder,means arranged circumferentially on said copyholder to receive aflexible telegraph massage sheetduring movement at scanning speed and toretain the same for transmission of the message thereon, means toposition said flexible sheet adjacent to said copyholder and to permitmovement of said sheet toward said copyholder as said copyholderreceiving means engages said sheet, and means for automatically removingsaid sheet from said copyholder upon the completion of the transmissionof said-message.

4. In a facsimile machine, a rotatable cylinder to receive a flexiblesheet to be scanned, means arranged circumferentially on said cylinderadapted to engage and retain said sheet on said cylinder.during rotationat scanning speed, a feed chute for the sheet ending adjacent to saidcylinder and means for engaging an end of the sheet to remove the sheetfrom the cylinder after a scanning operation.

, 5. An automatic telegraph system comprising a transmitting device,conveying means for delivering a message carrying sheet to saidtransmitting device, means in said transmitting device for receivingsaid sheet and automatically transmitting signals representative of themessage'on the sheet, and means for preventing said conveying means fromdelivering another message carrying sheet to the transmitting deviceduring transmission by the device of the message on the first namedmessage sheet.

6. An automatic telegraph system comprising a transmitting device,conveying means for delivering a message carrying sheet to saidtransmitting device, means in said transmitting device for receivingsaid sheet when presented thereto in properly oriented position relativeto said transmitting device, means for automatically transmittingsignals representative of the message on said sheet, and means to rejectsaid sheet when presented to said transmitting device in other positionsrelative thereto.

'7. An automatic telegraph system comprising a'transmitting device,conveying meansfor de livering a message carrying sheet of predeterminedconfiguration to-said transmitting device, means in said transmittingdevice for receiving said sheet and automatically transmitting signalsrepresentative of the message on the sheet, and means associated withsaid conveying means and coacting with said predeterminedconfigurationof the message sheet for causing the same to be received by thetransmitting device in proper position for transmission of the messageon the sheet.

8. An automatic telegraph system comprising a transmitting device,conveying means for delivering a message carrying sheet to saidtransmitting device, means in said transmitting device for receivingsaid sheet and automatically transmitting signalsrepresentative of themessage on the sheet, and selectively operable means associated withsaid conveying means for preventing the sheet from being delivered tothe transmitting device until after a predetermined operation of saidselectively operable means.

9. An automatic'telegraph system comprising transmittingapparatus fortransmitting signals in accordance with a message control form, meansfor operatively associating said message control form with saidtransmitting apparatus for automatic transmission of themessage,'receiving apparatus responsive to said signals for receivingthe transmitted message, and signaling means including means at thereceiving apparatus for selectively effecting retransmission of saidmessage by said transmission apparatus to said receiving apparatus; i

10. In a facsimile machine, a scanner comprising a rotatable cylinder,tooth members projecting from said cylinder to pierce and retain aflexible sheet closely in contact with the periphery of said cylinderand means for pressing a sheet against said toothed members.

11. A facsimile machine comprising a copyholding cylinder, 2. cover forsaid machine, said cover having an aperture therein adapted to receive amessage sheet, means for conveying said message sheet to said cylinder,a closure for said aperture, and meansfor operating said closure from apoint remote from said closure.

12. Message sheet feeding and retaining means for the copyholder of afacsimile scanner, comprising means on said copyholder designed topierce and retain a flexible sheet in position on said copyholder, andmeans to receive and position a flexible sheet within reach of saidfirst named means whereby the sheet will be pierced by said first namedmeans and drawn on to said copyholder during movement thereof.

13. In a facsimile machine, a. scanner comprising a rotatable cylinder,toothed members projecting from said cylinder to pierce and retain aflexible sheetclosely in contact with the periphery of said cylinder,and a roller in contact with said cylinder adjacent said toothed membersto smooth said sheet on said cylinder.

14; A facsimile telegraph machine including a scanner comprising arotatable cylinder, toothed members on said cylinder for piercing andretaining a message sheet in close contact with the surface ofsaidcylinder, a chute substantially tangential to said cylinder and havingone end. thereof positioned adjacent said cylinder whereby a-flexiblesheet passing through. said chute towards the cylinder will be seized bysaid toothed members and wrapped upon said cylinder.

15. 'A facsimile "machine including a scanner comprising a rotatablecylinder, toothed members projecting from said cylinder to pierce andretain a flexible sheet in contact with the periphery thereof, a messagechute spaced from a line tangent to said cylinder and having one endthereof adjacent the periphery of said cylinder whereby a message sheetmoved through said chute towards the cylinder will be seized by saidtoothed members and wrapped upon said cylinder during rotation thereof,a closure member for said message chute at its end opposite saidcylinder, and means to operate said closure member from a remote pointthereby to preventthere ception of a message sheet by said cylinder.

16. A facsimile telegraph system comprising in combination a scanningmechanism, a movable cylindrical copyholder therefor, means for feedingcopy to said copy holder, and copy retaining means carried by said copyholder and actuated solely by operation thereof for securing copiesthereon for scanning. I i

17. A facsimile telegraph system comprising in combination atransmitting device, a receiving device, a rotary copy holder for saidtransmitting device, a chute for feeding copy to said copy holder, meansactuatedautomatically by move ment of said copyholder to secure saidcopy in place thereon for scanning, and means "responsive to a signaltransmitted from said receiving mechanism for removing said copy fromsaid holder, l v

18. A facsimile telegraph system comprising in combination a scanningmechanism, a movable copy holder therefor, means for delivering copy tosaid copy holder duringmovement thereof, and means actuatedautomatically by movement thereof for positioning and securing said copythereon. t 19. A facsimile telegraph system comprising in combination ascanning mechanism, a"rota'ry cylindrical copy holder therefor, meansfordelivering copy to said copyholder during movement thereof, and meansactuated by movement thereof for engaging said copy circumferentiallythereof to position and secure said copy thereon. 20. A facsimiletelegraph system including a communication circuit, a plurality oftransmitting devices connected to saidcircuit, a receiving deviceconnected to said circuit, a lockingmechanis'm associated with eachtransmitting device for preventing operation'thereofand ineansresponsive to a predetermined potential'characteristic of said circuitfor actuating said locking mechanisms;

21. A facsimile telegraph system including a communication" circuit, aplurality of transmit ting devices connected to said circuit, areceiving device connected to said circuit, a locking mechanismassociated with each transmitting device for preventing operationthereof, and means for actuating said locking mechanisms from saidreceiving device.

22. A facsimile telegraph system including a communication circuit, aplurality of transmitting devices connected to said circuit, a receivingdevice connected to said circuit, a locking mechanism associated witheach transmitting device for preventing operation thereof, and meansactuated by operation of one/of said trans mitting devices for affectingthe potential characteristic of said circuit, and means responsive tosaid potential characteristic for actuating the locking mechanisms onsaid other transmitting devices to prevent interferingoperation'thereof;

24. An automtaic telegraph system comprising 10 a scanning mechanism, achute for delivering to said mechanism a sheet having a beveled corner,means normally closing said chute against the passage of said sheet,said last means being operable by engagement with the beveled corner ofsaid sheet when introduced into said chute in a predetermined position,to open said chute and permit the passage of the sheet therethrough.

25. An automatic telegraph system comprising a scanning mechanism, achute for delivering to said mechanism a' sheet having a beveled corner,and a yielding stop extending into said chute to block the passage of asheet therethrough, said stop adapted to be engaged and moved toinoperative position by the beveled corner of a sheet when introducedinto said chute in a predetermined position relative to said mechanism,to permit the passage of said sheet therethrough, but to engage andprevent the passage of a sheet introduced into said chute in other 15relative positions.

RALEIGH J. WISE. GARVICE H. RDJINGS.

